Marcus Sasser was cleared from the Dallas Mavericks' injury report Friday, erasing the day-to-day hip and torso designation he had carried since Oct. 9. The move makes him available for Dallas' season opener against the Hawks on Friday at 8 p.m. ET.
What happened
Marcus Sasser was cleared Friday at 7 p.m. ET, ending a stretch on the Mavericks' injury report that began Oct. 9, when he was first listed day-to-day with a hip and torso issue. The report does not include a description of what changed or any comment on his condition, and no expected return date was ever attached to the entry. Sasser's clearance comes the same night Dallas opens its season, with the previous day-to-day status removed and no restrictions noted alongside the update.
What it means for the Mavericks
Dallas opens the 2026-27 season at home against the Hawks on Friday at 8 p.m. ET, and Sasser's clearance means the guard is available for it. Last season he averaged 12.0 minutes, 5.2 points, 1.0 rebound and 2.0 assists over 38 games, bench scoring the Mavericks can count on again. The backcourt picture remains thin regardless: Max Christie is day-to-day with a rest issue, and Brandon Williams logged 22.2 minutes and 13.0 points per game in outings without Sasser last season. Dallas has not played a regular-season game yet, so there is no record with or without him to cite.
What to watch
The Mavericks will issue their next injury report ahead of their following game, and any change to Sasser's status would show up there first. No expected return timeline applies now since he is no longer listed as injured. Dallas still has Dereck Lively II, Tarik Biberovic, Jett Howard and Santi Aldama all day-to-day, so the next report will carry more than one name worth checking before tip-off.
Is Marcus Sasser playing vs Hawks?
Yes. He was cleared Friday at 7 p.m. ET, ahead of Dallas' 8 p.m. ET season opener against the Hawks, after being listed day-to-day since Oct. 9 with a hip and torso issue.
When will Marcus Sasser be back?
He is already back. The Mavericks cleared him Friday, removing the day-to-day hip and torso designation, and no further return timeline was announced because none is needed.